Tension device



Sept. 23, 1930. F P RKS 1,776,638

TENSION DEVICE Filed July 14. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Set.23, 1930.

E. F. PARKS TENSION DEVICE filled July 14, 1928 Sept. 23, 1930. PARKS1,776,638

TENSION DEVICE Filed July 14, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 y flaw/X;

jm v1 m 4 I vfiaywfyu Sept. '23, 1930. p s 1,776,638

TENS ION DEVICE Filed July 14, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i 7 Ir" I 4]fiver/75$ Mm VM 1 Patented Sept. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT 'oFFI EhEDWARD r. ranks, on rnovinnncn, RI-IOIDE 'lISLAND, nssrenonro UNIVERSALwritinme COMPANY, or" BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A conronn'rro'normessnonusn'r'rs TENSION DEVICE Application filed July 14, 1928. SerialNo. 292,821.

This invention relates to improvements in tension-devices for tensioningyarn, thread and other strand materials in winding or transferring thesame from a source of supply. v e

One object of the invention is to provide a tension-device fortensioning arunning strand without undue variation or fluctuation in thedegree of applied tension.

Another object of the invention 'is to provide a device of the typespecified which is particularly sensitive in its operation to respond toirregularities in the resistance to the draft on the strand at itssource ofsupe ply; and to permit the passage of knots slubs, bunches andenlargements on the strand without causing complete relief of theapplied tension or undue fluctuationstherein.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 7 vide a device of-the typespecified wherein the tension fingers or other pressure, elements whichact on the strand to apply re-V sistance to its draft are individuallyyieldable to permit the passage of knots, slubs, bunches'andenlargements without affecting the other elements of the device to causefluctuations in the applied tension.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of thetypespecified having means for automatically controlling thedegree oramount of the applied tension in accordance with the speed or rate ofdraft of the running strand to effect a constant and uniform degree ofultimate tension at the point of take up of the yarn or other material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type"specified which is particularly adapted for use wit-h winding machineswherein the cop or package being wound is rotated at a constant rate ofspeed so'that the. speed of draft of the yarn is continuously'accelerated as the cop growsin size and increases in circumference.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the followingspecification which describes a preferred form of construction of thetension-device as adapted for use with a winding machine of standardtype such as illustratedin the accompanying drawings. I

In the drawings:

Fig.1 is an end view of a winding machine showing the improvedtension-device applied-to use therewith and'illustrating thedifferential J control-mechanism for varying the degree oftensionapplied to the strand of yarnjfas the cop being wound grows in diameterand the lineal speed of the yarn increases in accordance therewith;

Fig. (2 is an enlarged side view of the tension-device and thedifierential controlmechanism whichconnects ittobe operated from thewinding machine;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of the tension-device;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the same, also showing thedifferential controlmechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the tentherefore not limited to thespecific form and application as herein shown and described. 7 In Fig. 1of the drawings,2 designates the frame of the winding machine, 3-therotat able winding-spindle or mandrel on which the cop or package iswound, and 4 the recip rocable thread-guide which traverses the yarnlongitudinally of the spindle to deposit it in helical coils crossingand re-crossing from one end of the package to the other inwhat istermed a V-wind. a

The thread-guide 4 as herein shown is car: ried on a horizontaltraverse-bar or rod 5 which is mounted to slide in a groove or guidewayon, the swinging traverse frame 6. The guide 4- is reciprocated; fromthe usual helical cam, not herein shown, and the traverse-frame 6 ishingedly mounted on the cam-shaft 7 to swing aboutthe axis of-the cam toadapt the against the surface on which the winding is performed with thestrand y of yarn or other material feeding through a slot or groove inits upper end to direct it onto the cop or package, and as the woundmass increases in diameter the guide recedes from the windingspindlewith the traverse-frame 6 swinging about its pivot 7. Suitableinstrumentalities, such as a dog 8 engaging in a tapered slot in arelatively fixed arcuate track or quadrant 9, act'to check retrogressivemovement of the thread-guide 4 toward the winding-spindle 3 andstopping-mechanism operative when the strand breaks or the packagereachesa predetermined diameter, is provided for arresting the Windingoperation. As such devices are well known to those versed in the art,however, they are not herein shown and described in detail. Suflice itto state that the driving mechanism of the machine is controlled from astarting-lever or handle 10 which is normally maintained in positionwith the drive operative through the means of a latch or detentoperating on 'a curved arm 11 reaching downwardly from thestarting-lever 10. As 7 herein shown .the quadrant 9 is pivoted to rockon a stud 12 fast in the frame 2 and is provided'with an upstanding arm13 having a latch 14 normally held in looking engagement with a catch orshoulder 15 on the curved extension 1.1 of the starting-lever 10. Whenthe outer end of the quadrant 9 is'lifted it-will disengage the latch 14from the detent-shoulder 15 to release the starting lever-1Q, wherebythe latter is operated through the means of a spring or its equivalent,notshown, to disconnect the clutch or other driving-means to arrest-theoperation of the whole machine.

At the outer end of the quadrant 9 is suspended a breakagedever ordrop-wire which is normally sustained in inoperative position by thestrand of yarn y feeding to the thread-guide 4:. When the strand breaksor the supply is exhausted the lever 20 drops to carry its inner endinto contact with the periphery of a toothed wheel 21 which is rotatedcontinuously from the cam-shaft 7 of the machine. "lhis engagement actsto pry the quad rant 9 upwardly to release the detents5 in the manner aspreviously explained, to causearrest of the winding operation.

The stopping of the machine at the completion of the winding when thecop or package reaches its predetermined size is effected through themeans of an adjustable wedgemember or stop 25 which may be set atdifferentpositions along the quadrant 9. The stop 25 is secured in placeby a set-screw 26 and its underside is beveled off at 27 to adapt it tobe engaged by an abutment 28 on the traverseframe i to lift the quadrant"9 when the thread-guide 4 has forced the traverse-frame 6 outwardlytobring it into contact with the stop. V I

The thread-guide 4 is normally maintained is pivoted on a stud to theaxis of the traverse-frame.

in contact with the surface of the winding by the action of acounterweight 29 fastened to the traverse-frame 6 below its pivot 'Z.The force of the wei ht 2 resists the movement of the guide outwardlyfrom the winding-spindie and causes it to bear firmly against thesurface of the winding and this resistance may be augmented through theuse of a differential pressuredevice arranged as next described. Asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, a lever 31, fixed on a tensionbracket 3 to belater described. The lever 30 car 'ies a weight 32 which is adjustablealong its length to vary the degree of pressure. The pressure-lever 30is connected to the counterweight 29 by means of a link which isadjustable in the notches of a plate 35 fastened to the front of" thecounterweight 29. A hair pin-springv 86 serves to hold the hooked end ofthe link in place in one of the notches in the plate 35 while permittingit to be adjusted from one notch to another to vary the point ofconnection of the link with respect t will be understood that as thethread-guided recedes from the winding-spindle 8 with the growth in thewinding and the traverse-frame 6 moves with it, the counterweight 29will be moved in a clockwise direction about the pivot 7, and throughthe link connection will swing the pressure-lever 30 upwardly on itspivot whereby to reduce the effect of the weight 32. In this manner thepressure on he thread-guide is gradually diminished. as the copincreases in diameter to prevent undue pressure from causing the cop tobulge at its ends.

In winding machines of the present type means are employed for applyingtension to the running strand as it delivers to the thread-guide wherebythe yarn or other material will be wound into a iirm compact cop orpackage. The tension-device may be mounted on the winding machine head,or in other instances supported at a more remote location. As hereinillustrated the tensiondevice is carried ona bracket 38, before referred to, which. is fastened to the side of the frameQ of the machineby means of'screws 39. As shown most clearly in'idigs. 2 and 4 of thepresent drawings, the bracket 38 comprises a horizontal arm 40 reachingoutwardly and forwardly from the frame 2, and an upright or post i1constructed as a separate part and attached to the end of the arm 10 bymeans of screws 42. The upright or standard 41 is of angle-form orsubstantially V-shaped in cross-section with vertical front-plate 4-3which carries the relatively fixed tensionelements 45 across which thestrand draws. As herein shown, the titer, tension-members 45 consist ofspool-like buttons preferably constructed of porcelain or similarvitreous material to adapt them to resist wear and formed with axialholes for mounting them formof a vertical bar 48 as shown in Fig. 3,.

is. provided withwlugs- 49" having holes through whichthe screws46extend to clamp it in place at the ends of the tension-members 45, seeFig.u3. The guard 47 prevents the strand from catching around thetensionmembers-and also assists in threading the yarninto place in themanner as later more fullyexplained. g l f qCooperating with the fixedtension-mem bets 'areaplura1ity of movable tensionelements 50 arrangedin alternating relation with respect thereto to adaptthe strand to drawbetween the two setsof elements to con.- fine it to a sinuous coursewhereby resistance is applied to its draft. As herein shown there arefour fixed tension-members 45 and live movable tension-elements 50arranged in staggered relation with respect thereto,'but a greaterorless number may be used if desired. a j j r The movabletension-elements50 are carried at the ends of swinging arms or fingers 51 pivoted on avertical rod 52, see 2 and 4. As shown in Figs. 2, 4v and 5, the

' ends of the rod 52. are held in upper and lower lugs 53 projectingfrom the side of the upright or standard 41 of the tensionbracket 38.Referring particularly to Fig. 5, the tension-arms or fingers 51 areformed at their free ends withscrew-threaded portions 54, on which arereceived the hollow, porcelain tension-elements 50, similar inconstruction to jthe members 45; A pair of disk-like flanges 55 and 56abut the ends of each ele ment 50 and are connected by a lateral strip57 see also Fig. 2. The flanges 55 and 56 are clamped to the ends of thetension-ele ments 50 by means of a cylindrical nut 58 screwed onto. thethreaded end 54 of the finger 51 the beveled and slotted head of the nutbeing received in a counterbore in the outer flange 56 flush with theface thereof so as to avoid any projections or exposed parts liable tocatehinthe strand of yarn or other materiali- A guard-finger 59 projectsradially from the inner flange 55 to prevent the. strand from slidingoff of the tGIISlOlrelement 50 and catching over its end; and a longerguard-linger 60 projects forwardly from the -outer flange 56 tocooperate with similar fingers on the other tension elements 50 as ameans for'directing the strand into place in the tension-device. At therearward ends of the tension-fingers 51 are angular tail -pieces69'which are employed for a purpose as later explained.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the tension-fingers 51 areheld in spaced relationship along the pivot-rod 52 through theirengagement with lateral slots 61 in the front-plate and correspondingslots 62 in a rib 63 at the rear of-the upright or standard 41. Throughthis arrangement the tension-fingers are maintained in position tosupport the tension-elements 50 in alternate relation with'respect tothe fixed tensionmembers 45; thefingers 51 being slidable in the slotsto adapt the movable tension-elements to be swung toward and away-fromthe fixed members in the manner and for the out of the slots 61 in theplate 43 by means of a wire bail 64 extending along the-edgeof the plateand secured in place with its ends bent over and driven into holestherein, see Figs. 2, 4 and 5. Themovable tension-elements 50 areoperated to cause them to bear the strand drawing through, the de? vice,and also to swing them toward and away from the'fix'ed members 45,through the instrumentality of a swinging frameor gatemember 65. Y

The gate 65 is hinged on 'the rod 52which serves. as the pivot for thetension+fin-gers 51, the rod extending through bearings in thelaterally-projecting lugs 66 by the top and bottomof the gate. The gate65 has an in wardly-proj ectin g rib 67 at its for ard or free end,formed with slots 68 in which the lingers 51 are permitted to play, theforward edge of the rib being adapted to bring up against the face ofthe standard 41 to serve as a stop to limitthe swinging movement of thegate in this direction. The opposite or rearward edge of theplate-portion of the gate 65 is adapted to strike against the ends ofthe tailpieces 69, previously described as projecting angularly from thepivoted ends of the tension-flngers 51, whereby to cause the gate'toswing said fingers to carry the tension-elements 50 away from the fixedmembers 45; the connection for operating the gate for this purpose beingas hereinafter explained.

The gate-member 65 is normally operated to apply a resilient pressuretothe tensionfingers 51 to cause the tension eelements 50 to be pressedagainst the stranddrawing across the opposite fixed members 45, wherebythe course ofthe strand is rendered more or less sinuous to resist itsdraftand applytension v thereto. a j 7 As one feature of the presentimprovement the pressure-applying means for the several movabletension-elements are individually yieldable whereby each element maymove independently of the others to clear the path for the passage ofknots or other enlargements on the yarn. The purpose of this arrangementis to provide that the passage of such irregularities through thetension-device will not set up a chattering or vibration in the appliedtension; and further to prevent the tension from being entirely relievedor removed when a slight resistance to the draft on the yarn isencountered at the source of supply. As herein shown the means for applyinga resilient pressure individually and independently to each of thetension-elements comprises a plurality'of separate springs carried onthe 'rockable frame or gate 65. Referring to Figs. 2 and 5, theindividual springs 7 O are preferably constructed of relatively thin,tempered stock having their rearward ends clamped against the inner faceof the gate-member 65 by means of a flat strip 71 fastened in place byscrews 72 passing through holes in the springs. If desired, however, thesprings may be made in the form of fingers integral wit-h the strip 71;The

free endsof the spring 7 O are inclined rearwardly from the gate 65 andare bent around at 73 to bear against the edges of'the tensionfingers51. Through this arrangement each tension-finger carrying its respectivetensionmember 50 is rendered free to move under theyielding action ofits individual spring Without affecting the action of the othertension-members.

The'rockable frame or gate 65 is operated through the means of abell-crank lever 7 t tonormally maintain it in position to cause thesprings 7 O to apply a predetermined amount of pressure to thetension-fingers 51. The bell-crank 74 is pivoted on a screw 75 held inan arm 76 projecting from the upright 41 of the tension-bracket 38, seeFigs. 2 and t; The horizontal arm 77 of the bell-crank 7a is providedwith a series of holes 7 8 for the attachment of a hooked rod 79 whichmay carry one or a number of disk-like weights 80. The weights 80 tendto rock the bell-' crank 74 to cause its upright arm 81 to bear againsta wire arm or lever 82 projecting rearwardly from the gate 65.Preferably, the arm 82 is of'elbow shape having its main portionextending through a slot 83 in a. lug

84: on the gate 65, see Fig. 2, and secured in place by its angularextension 85 inserted through a hole in a lug'86on the front of the gateand secured in place by a set-screw 87. By releasing the set-screw 87the arm 82may be adjusted laterally in the'slot 83 to alter its relationto the pivot 52 on which the gate swings, this adjustment being for apurpose as hereinafter explained. A second wire rod or arm 93, also heldin the lug 86 by a set-screw 94, reaches upwardly and outwardly abovethe top of the tension-device and terminates in a curved finger 103which serves as a lever for swinging the gate-member '65 to open thetensions tofacilitate the threading of the strand thereinto.

As the strand '3] of yarn or other material draws through thetension-device it passes through a circular opening or eye 90 at thebottom of the standard or support 41 so as to prevent the ballooning orwhipping of the yarn from throwing it out of place and cansing it towrap around the tension-elements. At the top of the standard or support41 is of the tension-device is a compensator-arm.

comprising a flat spring-blade held in a slotted post 96 which is driveninto a hole in a lug 97 at the bottom of the support or standard 41. Acollar 98 embraces the upper reduced end of the post 96, being providedwith a set-screw 99 which binds against the slotted part of the post toclamp'the spring-blade in place. At the upper end of the arm 95 is aporcelain guide 100 secured to an extension thereof by means of a bolt102 and having an eye 10 1 for receiving the strand as it draws betweenthe upper movable tension-element 50 and the fixed guide-member 91. Thecompensator-arm 95 acts to take up any slack in the strand y as it drawsupwardly from the tension-device, being used more particularly for fineyarns and playing back and forth within certain limits to provide for amore uniform pull or draft on the material as it passes through thetension-device. bracket 38 is a yarn-cleaner or slub-catcher 101 ofusual construction, provided with a slot through which the strand drawsas it feeds to the winding.

The tension-device as above described may be employed withoutfurtherconnections for applying a uniform degree of tension to the strandfeeding to the winding machine or other apparatus, and in this form itis applicable to many uses, particularly for tensioningyarn as it isdelivered at a constant lineal speed, for instance in drum windingmachines. In the case of positively-driven winders of the type hereinillustrated, wherein the winding-spindle has a constant speed ofrotation, but the yarn speed increases as the winding grows in diameter,it is desirable to regulate the applied tension differentially inaccordance with the rate of draft of the yarn, or in other words itsvarying lineal speed. That is to say, in this type of winding machine ifthe applied tension remains constant from start to finish of the windingof the package the actual tension will be cumulative due to the factthat the lineal speed of the yarn increases. Various methods ofregulating the applied tension through differential mechanism haveheretofore been employed in the art, and in the present invention I makeuse of an improved means as next described. It will be understood thatif the position of the gate-member 65 is maintained substantially fixedthe spring-pressure applied to the tension-fingers 51 will re mainconstant, and therefore to alter or vary the degree of applied tension Iprovide means for rocking the gate to shift its position pro- Mounted onthe top of the tension- I eiieet a diminishing degree of pressureapplied to thethread-guide, andassociated with QTSQTIELDIGXSI. As hereinshown these connee-' tions comprise a biturcatedclainp 109 pivotallconnected to the end of the link 108 and V clamped to the forwardlyprojectingend of the rod-link 33 by means of a belt 110. p

The lever 105 has a second arm 111 at the end of whiohis adjustablymounted an arcuate slide or quadrant 112. Preferably, the quadrant 112is pivoted at 113 to the end of the lever 105 and has anarm 1141overlapping the arm 111. flit screw 115 projects through 'a slot 116 "inthe arm 111' with a washer 117 under its head and screws into the end ofthe arm 114 of the quadrant 112. The stud 115 may be tightened to clampthe 211111111111 position to hold the quadrant 112 in fixed relation atthe'endot the arm 111 of the lever 105. Byreleasing the stud the arcuateslide or quadrant 112 may be adjusted on its pivot to set it ineccentric relation with respect to the pivot on which the lever-105rocks. The curved edge of the slideor quadrant 112 bears against theside of the wire ar1n82'ot the gate65 on the opposite side from theweighted bell-crank M. When the lever 105 is rocked in he directionindicated by the arrow'in Figs. 1 and 2 it will act against the arm 82to swing the gate 65 toward the position indicated by the dotted linesin Fig. 5. Asthe gate-member 65 is swung on its pivot in this-manneritrelieves the pressure of the springs 70 on the tension-lingers 51,whereby the movable tension-members 50 are caused to recedeor move awayfrom alinement with the fixed fingers to reduce the tension applied tothe strand in the manner and for the purpose as hereinafter more fullyexplained. i i V The method of operation of the complete tension-deviceas arranged to control the ap plied tension on a-strand delivering to awinding machine of the type shown will now be explained:

In threading the strand 3 into the tension-device'itis firstente-redthrough the lower guide-eye 90 and drawn upwardly alongside thevertical guard 17 outwardly beyond the guard-fingers 60. It is thenpassed through the guide-eye 10 1 at the end of theoompensator-arm 95,drawn upwardly across the porcelain guide-member 91, and thence throughthe slub-catcher 101. As the strand ispassed to one side to carry itinto the slot in the slub-catcher 101 the arm 103 on the gate 65 isengaged by the operators finger whereby to swing the gate-memher to openthetension-device by shifting the movable tension-elements laterallyaway from the fixed members 15. This shifting of the tension-elements 50is offected by the turning ofthe gate-member 65 to bring its rearwardedge against the inclined tail-pieces 69 on the tensionfingers 51,whereby to rock the latteron their pivots as illustrated by the dottedlines in Fig. 5. After the tension-device has been opened in this mannerthe strand 3 is pulled taut, whereupon it will be guided inwardlyby theguard-fingers to draw across the tensionelements 50, as illustrated.most clearly in Fig. 2. 'As the strand is drawn into place it slidesacross the lugs 49 which overlap the sides of the "fixed tension-members45 so that when the gate-member is released, to cause'the springs 70 toapply pressure to the movable'tension-elements 50, the strand will becaused tofollow a sinuous course in and out around the two series ofopposed elements in the manner as illustrated a in Fig. 3. p v. Thestrand 7 is-led up across the break age-lever 20, thence through theslot or groove in'the thread-guide 4, and itsend attached to the tube oryarn receiver w carried by the winding-spindle 3. In starting thewinding machine to operate the threadguide 4 is placed against thesurface of the cop-tube or receiver a; on which the winding is to beperformed by releasing the dog 8 and swinging thetraverseframe 6 intothe position shown in Fig. 1. of the drawings; The starting-lever 10 isthen manipulated to render the clutch or other driving-means active withthe stopping-mechanism locked in inoperative position by means of thedetent-latch lt engaging the catch 15 on the quadrant 9. i

As the winding-spindle 3 is rotated the thread-guide 1 is reciprocatedlongitudinally thereof to deposit the yarnor other material in helicalcoils crossing back and torthalong the cop-tube w. The strand 3/ is thustaken up to draw through the tension-device wherein it is tensioned bythe pressure of the elements 50 which causes it to be diverted acrossthe opposite tensionmembers .45 in a sinuous course. When any undueresistance to the unwinding of the strand from the delivering cop orother source of supply is encountered the tensionelements will'yieldslightly so as to reduce the amount of applied tension to compensate forsuch irregularities in the delivery. The tension-elements are at alltimes maintained bearing against the strand, however, so that theapplied tension is never completely relieved. Due to this method ofoperation the ultimate tension'on the yarn is maintained more uniformand constant without extremefiuctuations as is the case wherethetension-elements are arranged to move in unison, or as a whole, whenundue resistance is encountered at the supply.

In the present improved construction of the tension-device the lowermovable tensionelements will constantly play back and forth to vary theapplied tension in accordance with fluctuations in the resistance todelivery, and this sensitive action of the device results in a much moreuniform and constant degree of tension applied to the strand as it feedsto the thread-guide of the winding machine or to any other point of takeup. The sensitive yielding action of the tension-elements also providesthat when a knot, bunch or other enlargement on the strand passesthrough the device it will not act suddenly to throw the tensiondnembersinto open relation. That is to say, each tension-element will yieldindividually as the knot or enlargement passes by without forcing thewhole series of tension-elements open to entirely relieve the appliedtension on the yarn. The sensitive and selective action of the'deviceprevents chattering or vibration of the tensionelements so that, a moreconstant and uniform tension is applied to the strand, and'this featureconstitutes an important improvement over the usual arrangement wherethe tension-members or fingers are connected together to move in unisonas, for instance, with the usual finger-tension plates. In such priordevices the presence of'knots, bunches or enlargements on thestrand, orthe occurrence of irregularities in the resistance to its delivery atthe supplywill set up a chattering and vibration of the tension-elementswhich results in wide fluctuations in the amount of applied tension andtherefore seriously impairs the'efliciency of the whole tension-device.

It has been noted that the compensator-arm 95 is arranged to play backand forth to take package. That is to say, the speed of delivery at thethread-guide may vary somewhat as the strandis laid from one end of thecop to the other end and the compensator arm 95 plays back and fort-h inaccordance with this vibration.

The means for operating the tension-device to reduce the tension appliedto the strand as its lineal speed increases with the increase indiameter of the winding functions as next explained: As the thread-guidet moves away from the winding-spindle 3 with the growth in the windingthe traverse-frame 6 is swung back on its pivot with its counterweight29 moving away from the tension-device. Duringthis movement thecounterweight 29 acts through the link 108 to rock the lever 105 on itspivot 106, whereby the quadrant 112 is slid downwardly across the sideof the arm 82 on the gate-member 65. It has been explained that the edgeof the slide or quadrant 112 is disposed in eccentric relation withrespect to the axis of the lever 105, its lower portion being nearerthis axis than its upper portion. Therefore. as the lever 105is swung 0rrocked downwardly the pressure of the quadrant 112 on the arm 82 isincreased so that the gate member-65 is caused to be swung or turned onits pivot toward the position indicated bythe dotted lines in Fig. 5. Inthis View of the drawings the tension-elements 50 are shown in fulllines as in their extreme inward position with respect to the fixedtension- .members 45, while the dotted lines illustrate the elements 50as carried back to the opposite extreme where their pressure on thestrand would be nil. When the device is employed to operate on yarn ofaverage size and strength the movable tension-elements 50 will initiallyassume a position approximately'as shown in Fig. 3; and when they arecarried back into open position by the differential mechanism at thecompletion of the winding their bearing portions will be substantiallyin alinement with the opposite bearing portions of the fixed members 45so that the strand may follow a practically straight course between theelements with only a very slight resistance applied to its draft. In theoperation of the differential mechanism as above explained the tensionelements 50are brought to this latter posit o to substantially relievethe tension applied to the strand as it delivers to the winding at thecompletion of the cop or package. At this point the speed of draft ofthe strand has increased to the maximum and the applied tension. isreduced to the minimum so as not to cause abnormal tension on the strandwhich would result in constricting the inner layers of winding to bulgethe ends of the cop or package.

It will be observed that my invention pro vides an eilicient device forthe purposes explained; with the mechanism thereof simple inconstruction and durable in use. While a preferred embodiment of thedevice is herein shown and described, various modifications may bemadein the construction and largements on the strand drawing through thedevice. a

2. A tension-device comprising. a plurality of independently movabletension-elements adapted to bear against the yarn to apply tensionthereto, and means for applying pressure individually to thetension-elementsto press them against the yarn whereby each element isadapted to yield without influencing the action of the other elements.

3. A tension-device comprising a plurality of movable tension-elementsadapted to bear against thestrand to apply resistance to its draft, vanda plurality of springs acting individually against said elements toapply pressure thereto while adaptingthem to yield independently of eachother.

4. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of tenslon-elementsacross which the strand draws, a second series of tension-elementsmovable with respect to the first elements, and means for individuallyapplying pressure to the movable elements to cause them to bear againstthe strand to resist its draft while adapting them to yieldindependently of each other.

5 In a tension-device, the combination of a series of relatively fixedtension-elements across which the strand draws, a second series ofindependently movable tension-elements arranged in alternate relationwith respect to the fixed elements, and pressure means actingindividually on the movable elements to maintain them normally incooperative relation with the fixed elements while adapting themto yieldindependently of each other.

6. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of fixedtension-elements disposed in substantlal allnement, a second series ofindependently movable tension-elements alternating with the fixedelements, and means to apply pressure to the movable elements tomaintain them in cooperative relation with I the fixed elements to causethem to bear against the strand drawing therebetwccn while adapting themovable elements to yield independently of each other.

7. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of fixedtension-elements, a second series of tension-elements pivoted to swingwith respect to the fixed elements, and means for applying resilientpressure to the movable tension-elements to cause them to bear againstelements to apply pressure thereto while per mitting said elements to ofeach'other.

9. In a tension-device, the combination of a plurality of independentlymovable ten sion-elements adapted to bear against the yieldindependently yarn to apply resistance to its draft, a memberl movablewith respect to the tension-sle ments, resilient means acting betweensaid member and the tension-elements to apply, pressure thereto, andmeans for operating said movable member to cause the resilient means toact with a predetermined pressure. 10, In a tension-device,thecombination ofa plurality of independently movable tension-elements,a member movable with respect tosaid tension-elements, a weight forapplying pressure to said movable member, and resilient means actingbet-ween said member and the tension-elements. V

11. In a tension-device, the combinationof a plurality of independentlymovable tension-elements, a member movablewith re-" spectto saidtension-elements, resilient means between said member and thetension-else ments, a lever acting on the movable member to cause theresilient-means to apply pressure to the tension-elements, and a weightfor opcrating the lever.

12. In a tension-device, the combination of a plurality oftension-elements, a pivoted frame, springs carried by said frame to acton the tension-elements to apply resilient pressure thereto, a lever forswinging the frame and a weight adjustable on said lever to vary thepressure applied to the springs.

13. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of relatively fixedtension-elements, a second series of tension-elements each independentlymovable with respect to the fixed elements, a movable member, andresilient Ineansactingbetween said member and the movabletension-elements to apply pressure thereto. e

14. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of relatively fixedtension-elements. a second series of tension-elements individuallymovable with respect to the fixed elements, a gate-memberpivoted toswing laterally of the movable tension-elements, resilient means actingbetween the gate-member and the movlatter, and adjustable means actingon the gate-member tomaintain the resilient means under a predeterminedpressure.

able tension-elements to apply pressure to the I V v 15. In atension-device, the combination of a series of relativelyfiXed'tension-elements, a second series of tension-elements pivoted tomove individually with respect to the fixed elements, a gate-memberpivoted to swing about the axis of the movable tension-elements and aplurality of spring-elements acting between the gate-member and themovable tension-elements to apply pressure to the latter. r

.16. In'a tension-device, the combination of a frame, a seriesof fixedtension-elements on the frame, a series of movable tension-elementspivoted on the frame to'swing toward and away from the fixed elements,and springs acting individually against the movable elements to maintainthem in cooperative relation with the fixed elements while adapting themto yield independently of each other.

, 17. In a tension-device, the combination of a'fi'ame, a series offixedtension-elements on the frame, a series of movable tension-elementspivoted on the frame in alternate relation with respect to the fixedelements, a gatemember pivoted on the frame, springs acting between saidgate-member and the pivoted tension-elements to apply pressure thereto,a lever acting against said gate-member to maintain the springs undercompression, and means adjustable 0n the lever to vary the pressureapplied to the springs.

18. In a tension-device, the combination of a frame,-a plurality ofvitreous tension-elements mounted on said frame, a plurality oftension-fingers pivoted on the frame, vitreous tension-elements carriedon said fingers, andresilient means for applying pressure individuallyto the fingers to adapt the movable tension-elements to yieldindependently of each other. e i

19. In a winding machine, the combination ofa winding-mandrel, athread-guide for traversing strand material to wind a cop or package onthe winding-mandrel, said mandrel and thread-guide adapted to separateas the cop increases in diameter, a tension-device compri'sing'aplurality of tensionelements adapted to bear against the strand feedingto the winding to resist its draft, a member movable with respect to thetensionelements, resilient means acting between said movable member andthe tension-elements to apply pressure thereto, means acting on themovable member to cause it to maintain pressure on the resilientmeans,.m'eans acting to shift the movable member to relieve the pressureof the resilient means, and means for actuating said last named means asthe cop or package increases in diameter.

20. In a winding machine, the combina-. tion of a winding-mandrel, athread-guide for traversing strand material to wind a cop or packageonthe mandrel, a tension-device comprlsmg a plurality of tension-elementsadapted to bear against the'strand feeding to the winding, a pivotedgate-member, springs acting between the gate-member and the tension-elements to apply pressure thereto, a lever acting upon thegate-member to cause it to maintain pressure on the springs, and meansacting to swing the gate-member to relieve the pressure of the springson the tension-elements as the winding increases in di-- ameter and thespeed of drart of the yarn is correspondingly increased.

21. In a winding machine, the combination of a winding machine, athread-guide for traversing strand material to wind a cop or package onthe mandrel, a tension-device comprising tension-elements adapted tobear against the'strand to apply resistance to its draft, a movablegate-member for applying pressure to the tension-elements, a weightedlever acting on the pressure-member, a pivoted arm having an arcuateelement disposed eccentric to its axis and adapted to act on thepressure-member, and means to move the arm concurrently with the growthin diameter of the winding to cause the eccentric member to shift theposition of the pressure-member to automatically relieve the tensionapplied on the running strand;

22. In a winding machine, the combination of a winding-mandrel and meansfor traversing strand material on the mandrel to wind a cop or package,a tension-device comprising tension-elements adapted to bear against thestrand feeding to the winding to apply resistance to its draft, apivoted member for applying pressure to the tension-elements, a weightedlever acting againstthe pressuremember, an eccentric acting on thepressure member to shift the latter against the pressure ofthe weightedlever to decrease the pressure applied to the tension-elements, and

means for-turning the eccentric concurrently- With the growth indiameter of the cop being wound.

23. In a winding machine, the combination of a windinganandrel, meansfor traversing strand material to wind a cop or package on the mandrel,a tension-device comprising tension-elements adapted to bear against thestrand feeding to the winding to apply resistance to its draft,pressure-means acting on the tension-elements, a lever, an eccentricadjustable on the lever to vary its degree of eccentricity with respectto the axis of the lever, means-operated upon by the eccentric to shiftthe pressure-means to diminish the amount of pressure applied tothetension-' elements, and means operated concurrently with the increase indiameter in the cop being wound to actuate the lever.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

EDWARD F. PARKS.

